This factsheet describes the appearance, behavior, and recommended control of centipedes, millipedes, sowbugs, pillbugs, and springtails in the home

Malinoski, Mary Kay

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1MillipedeCentipedesCentipedeHouse CentipedeCentipedes are elongate, flattened animals with one pair of legs per body segment. The number of legs may vary from 10 to over 100, depending on the species. They also have long jointed antennae. The house centipede is about an inch long, gray, with very long legs. It lives outdoors as well as indoors, and may be found in bathrooms, damp basements, closets, etc. it feeds on insects and spiders. If you see a centipede indoors, and can’t live with it, escort it outdoors. Centipedes are beneficial by helping control insect pests and spiders.MillipedesMillipedes are cylindrical in shape, have 2 pairs of legs per body segment, and short antennae. They have many body segments, and often have 30 or more pairs of legs. Millipedes vary in length from less than an inch to more than two inches. The most common millipedes that invade homes are brownish, and 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Millipedes live outdoors where they feed on decaying organic material or plants. They occasionally enter the home, but do not feed or cause damage. They may be discouraged by tight fitting doors and screens, and by removal of decaying vegetation, leaf litter, and mulch from around the foundations of homes. Vacuum up those that enter the home and dispose of the bag outdoors. If they become intolerable and chemical treatment becomes necessary, residual insecticides may be used sparingly. Poisons baits may be used outdoors with caution, particularly if there are children or pets in the home. A residual insecticide spray applied across a door threshold may prevent the millipedes from entering the house.Sowbugs and PillbugsSowbugs and pillbugs are the only crustaceans that have adapted to a life on land. They are oval in shape, convex above, and flat beneath. They are gray in color, and 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long. Sowbugs have two small tail-like appendages at the rear, and pillbugs do not. Pillbugs can roll up into a ball, but sowbugs cannot. Sowbugs and pillbugs live outdoors and like moist locations, such as under objects and vegetable debris. They are beneficial decomposers by feeding on decaying organic matter in the garden.They may invade damp basement areas as well as first floors of houses. Sowbugs and pillbbugs can be effectively controlled by modifying conditions that are favorable to their development immediately outside of the home. Hiding places such as stones or boards close to the house should be removed. Food sources such as leaves, grass clippings, or Occasional InvadersHG 82000  For more information on this and other topics visit the University of Maryland Extension website at www.extension.umd.eduThis publication is no longer circulated. It is preserved here for archival purposes. Current information is at https://extension.umd.edu/hgicArchived2mulch that are close to the building should also be removed. Properly ventilate basements and crawlspaces to eliminate excess moisture. Repair and seal cracks and openings along foundation walls, doors, and windows. Tighten up door and window openings with weather stripping. Insecticide sprays inside homes are not recommended because sowbugs and pillbugs dry out quickly and die.SpringtailsSpringtails are very small insects, 1 to 2 mm in length, and whitish or grayish in color. They do not bite. Springtails possess a forked appendage at the rear that enables them to jump. For the most part, springtails feed on algae, fungi, fungal spores, pollen, and decaying vegetable matter.They may occasionally be a problem in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Infestations in buildings are usually associated with dampness, organic matter, and mold. Springtails usually occur in the soil, but also may Protect the Bay Use Pesticides and Fertilizers WiselyALWAYS READ THE PESTICIDE LABEL AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.Mention of trade names does not constitute an endorsement by University of Maryland ExtensionHave a home pest or garden question?Call the Home and Garden Information Center1-800-342-2507http://extension.umd.edu/hgicSowbug Pillbugbe found under potted plants, and in decaying vegetable matter. Springtails do no damage, but are a nuisance by their presence, and the fact that they can jump.Springtails inside a structure, generally suggest some kind of moisture problem. The moisture may be from a leaky pipe, or excessively  high humidity. They may also enter a building seeking moisture when their outside habitat becomes too dry. Drying out the affected area will often eliminate the springtails. Insecticide sprays inside the home are generally not recommended. If spingtails are coming in from the outdoors, a perimeter treatment with an insecticide may be necessary.References:Oldowski, W., S. Daar, and H. Olkowski. 1991. Common-Sense Pest control. Newtown, CT: The Taunton Press. 715 pp.Mallis, A. 1990 Handbook of Pest Control. Cleveland, OH: Franzak & Foster. 1152 pp.Illustration of springtail and house centipede redrawn from: Mallis, A. 1990. Handbook of Pest Control Cleveland, OH: Franzak & Foster Co. 1152 pp.Springtail  Author: Mary Kay Malinoski, University of Maryland Extension Specialist, Home and Garden Information CenterThis publication  is a series of publications of the University of Maryland Extension and The Home and Garden Information Center.  For more information on related publications and programs, http://extension.umd.edu/hgic.  Please visit http://extension.umd.edu/ to find out more about Extension programs in Maryland.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland, College Park, and local governments. Cheng-i Wei, Director of University of Maryland Exten-sion. The University of Maryland is equal opportunity. The University’s policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Director of Human Resources Management, Office of the Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.  For more information on this and other topics visit the University of Maryland Extension website at http://extension.umd.eduArchived

Occasional Invaders

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Occasional Invaders

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